Youth pheasant hunt set for Sept. 9 near Billings

Statewide youth hunting event set for Sept. 23-24

Staff and wire report

Ahead of a statewide youth hunting event, the Yellowstone Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever is hosting a free youth pheasant hunt on Saturday, Sept. 9, at a private shooting preserve near Billings.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will be at the event with hunting and access information and giveaways. The event is open to hunters aged 15 and younger who have successfully completed hunter education and have a valid Montana upland bird license.

Statewide youth waterfowl and pheasant hunt

Montana's young hunters statewide will have a special treat the weekend of the youth waterfowl and pheasant special seasons Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23-24, the FWP website reports. That weekend, licensed hunters 15 and younger will be able to hunt ducks, mergansers, geese, coots and pheasants statewide on those two days.

The two-day youth hunt is open to:

• legally licensed 12-15 year olds who have completed hunter education and who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 18 years of age;

• properly certified and legally licensed apprentice hunters 10-15 years of age who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult "mentor" at least 21 years of age.

All regulations apply. The Canyon Ferry WMA is an exception - only to the youth waterfowl season shooting hours - they will be one-half hour before sunrise to noon.

Youth deer-only hunt

Another special event is set for October, the youth hunt for deer limited to youngsters between the ages of 10–15.

This hunt was approved forThursday and Friday, Oct 19-20, 2023. Those dates coincide with Montana's annual two-day teachers' convention, which are no-school days for most public school students.

The two-day youth hunt is open to:

• legally licensed 12-15 year olds who have completed hunter education and who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 18 years of age;

• properly certified and legally licensed apprentice hunters 10-15 years of age who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult "mentor" at least 21 years of age.

This hunt is for deer only. Elk hunting is prohibited. All regulations apply.

Billings event details listed

The Sept. 9 event at Billings is the 29th annual youth pheasant hunt sponsored by the local Pheasants Forever chapter.

"This event is a great, safe way to introduce young people to the lifelong sport of hunting, especially upland bird hunting," said Chad Hanson, president of the Yellowstone Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever. "It's a special experience to be there when a new hunter shoots their first bird."

Youth hunters will split into groups of two hunters for each time slot, beginning at 9 a.m. Each youth hunter will be accompanied in the field by a mentor to ensure safe hunting practices, a trained bird dog and dog handler. A free lunch will be provided to participants after the hunt.

Youth hunters will have another opportunity to waterfowl and pheasant hunt on public lands during the Youth Waterfowl and Pheasant Weekend, Sept. 23-24, before the season opens for all hunters.

For more information and to sign up for the event, people can contact Chad Hanson at 406-860-5145.

For more information on special youth hunting opportunities in Montana, people canvisit https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/youth .

People can download the MyFWP mobile app to access their hunting and fishing licenses right on their phone.